“Megan,” he corrects. “It was one thing I wouldn’t let her toy with. She threatened to take you and leave, and I couldn’t stop her. So after that, we made a deal.”
“A deal?”
“Yes, she’s trying to renegotiate now with threats about telling you everything.”
“What was the deal before now?”
“She had to let me adopt you. Once I paid her off, I paid him off, and they both signed.” My dad won’t even say his name. “You’re my daughter, Sadie. You’ll always be my daughter.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” I can hear the emotion in his voice.
“Then divorce her ass and get her out of our lives. She has nothing over you anymore, and I want us to be free.”
My dad chuckles. “You never hold your punches, do you?” He sounds proud, which makes me smile through my tears.
“Not when it comes to my family.” An image of Ari flashes through my mind. “And she’s not our family.”
“I’ll handle it. I promise.”
“Thank you, Dad.” I glance up when red and blue lights shine through the car, and I see a cop pulling up behind me. “I’ve got to go. I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too,” my dad barely gets out before I end the call. The last thing he needs to hear is my getting arrested. A second later, the cop knocks on the window, and I roll it down.
“Hello, Officer. Did I do something wrong?” I give him a giant smile, which I’m sure is terrible with my tear-filled eyes and blotchy face.
“Besides stealing a car?”
“I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it.”
“Borrowed it?” I swear he’s trying not to laugh.
“You know what? I plead the fifth.” Let’s see what he does with that.
“All right, ma’am. I need you to turn off the ignition and hand over the keys.” He holds his palm out, waiting for me to comply.
“Did I mention I was kidnapped?”
“Oh you’re about to be kidnapped.” Ari’s voice comes out of nowhere. “Thanks, Copper. I’ve got it from here.” The officer nods to Ari before turning and walking back to his cruiser.
“You got the fuzz on your payroll?” I glare at Ari, but I’m sure it’s terrible at the moment because I kind of want to burst into tears again.
“The fuzz?” Ari lifts a brow but doesn’t smirk.
Oh shit, he’s pissed.
Chapter Sixteen
ARI
“I’d ask you why you ran out on me, but I already know.” I take a step toward her, and when she tries to move back, her ass bumps against my car.
“You’re the detective so I’m glad it didn’t take long.” She tries again to joke but I shake my head at her.
“Are you okay?”
Sadie is surprised by my question as I reach for her and pull her body against mine. I press my nose to the top of her head and breathe her in, reminding myself that she’s safe.
